Clothes-clamp.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

J. D. BARNES.

CLOTHES CLAMP.

APPLICATION mum APB.16,1904.

Fig. 47'.

FIX). 3.

anuewfoc JameyD.BarneS.

lUNiTEi) STATES Patented February '7, 1905.

PATENT Mice.

CLOTH ES-CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION fol'ming part of Letters Patent No. 781,930, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed April 15, 1904. Serial No. 203,328.

To (1N whom it may concern/.-

Beitknown that I, JAMES l). BARNES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Nash and State ofNorth Carolina, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Clothes-Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to novel improvements in clamp devices particularly adapted for use in securing clothes to clothes-lines.

The invention provides a peculiar form of clamping means consisting in its preferred adaptation of a supporting member having a plurality of clothes engaging or clamping members formed therewith. The parts are specially arranged and ali'ord a rigid means for attaching clothes as above mentioned.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

\Yhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the sup1. orting-loop having the clothes-line passed therethrough. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation, showing the manner of securing clothes and the disposition of the clamp device when the latter is independently mounted as regards the line. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the clamp device alone. Fig. s is a detail view of the modified form of the invention.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a clothes-line of any of the usual types in common use. The clamping device which comprises my invention may be directly carried by the line, if desirable, or may be utilized entirely independent of the line to clamp clothes thereto in the contemplation of my invention. The above is advantageous in that under certain conditions it is particularly convenient to have the clamp devices arranged upon the line so that they may be instantly manipulated, so as to clamp the clothes which are to be hung from the said line. Again, it is often preferable that the clamp devices be entirely free from the line, so that they may be readily removed whenever necessary.

Each of the clamp devices is composed of a supporting-loop 2, which virtually consists of a spring-coil of wire the end portions of which are bent so as to form the spaced clamp members 3. The clamp members 3 are located upon the opposite sides of the main supporting-loop 2 and are located in relatively vertical positions in substantially the same plane as the supporting loop itself. The clamp members are formed by bending the wire from which the loop 2 is made downwardly, as shown at a, thence upwardly, as shown at f), and again downwardly, as shown at c, the portion 0 being projected at a right angle to the the plane of the loop 2, representing the end of said wire. The extremity of each of the clamp members is upwardlyturned and formed into an eye i, so as to obviate the formation of any projecting part which might engage in and tear the clothes which are secured to the line. The clamp members 3 are reversedly disposed, as most clearly shown in Fig. I), and

are adapted to positively engage the line 1 to clamp the edge portions of the clothes thereto. The line 1 when the clamp device is in position is received and clamped between the parts 6 and a of each of the clampingmembers, which have a spring action in the cooperation above mentioned. in Fig. 1 the clothes-line is shown passing through the main supporting-loop 2. \Vhen the device is used in this manner, it will be noted that as soon as the clothes are unclamped or released from ongagement by the clamp device the latter will be suspended from the line to remain in this position until again used. Fig. 2, however, illustrates the adaptation of the clamp device when used merely as an independent securing means, in which case the coil of the loop 2 cooperates with the members 3 to clamp the clothes to the line.

The clamp device is madcfrom spring-wire which is of a suitable gage to lend the necessary I strength and rigidity and to give a spring action to the members 3. The loop 2 constitutes a member which readily admits of being grasped in manipulating the device preparatory to attaching clothes to the line 1 and in removing said clothes from the line.

For supporting heavy goods, such as blankets or the like, it is very desirable that the clamp members be provided With the spring-coils 5 at their upper portions, Which latter Would be integrally formed to lend a greater spring clamping action in the use of the device. The above structure is illustrated in Fig. 40f the drawings, and it is further contemplated that the portion 0 of each of the clamp members 3 may be crimped or corrugated to facilitate the binding or engaging action of the parts 3 in attaching clothes or the like in the manner above premised upon.

The clamping device being made from a single piece of Wire of suitable length can be very cheaply manufactured, and this is a desideratum of no small importance.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is As an article of manufacture, a clothesclamping device consisting of a single length of spring-wire bent intermediate its ends to form the main supporting'and clamp loop 2, consisting of a spring clamping coil, and clamp members at opposite sides of the loop aforesaid, each of said clamp members being formed by the downwardly-bent end portion a, the upwardly-bent portion 6, and the downwardly-bent extremity 0 projected from. the portion 6 at a right angle to the plane of the loop 2, the bent portions cand 6 of the clamp members being in spring engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in 4 presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES D. BARNES. [L. s]

' Witnesses:

R. W. BROOKS, J. B. BODDIE. 

